With nothing better to report in the neighborhood, I decided to go out and do a personal investigation of how restaurants, stores, and small eating places are handling the COVID situation. This is not a Pulitzer Prize-worthy post, but hey, beats a blank page.
Photo by Unsplash
So I got the bus. We have a keg of margaritas, salsa, chips, and a restroom. I think we are good to go. Hop on and keep your social distance.
Our first stop is the local food chain. They have curbside down to a science. You order on-line, you arrive, text the number on the sign, your groceries are delivered to your car.
A local pizza restaurant lets you order on-line then call a number when you arrive.
This shop has take out only.
These guys have take out, pick up, and delivery. I could see calling for a couple of cones delivered. Don’t ask the driver how he kept the ice-cream from running down the cone.
Pick up, take away, and delivery here as well.
The ubiquitous SubWay. Take out only.
Sushi to go.
Here is our vet. Pull in. Call the number, and they come to get your dog or cat or bird or whatever.
Our library has a curbside pick up too.
Here we are at the Papa Murphys. You order online, arrive, call the number, and out comes your ready to bake pizza.
Here is a pet food supplier that offers curbside or delivery. pay no attention to that idiot reflected in the glass. He obviously has a lot to learn about picture taking.
Well, it looks like the shops are doing the best they can during this challenging time. Thanks for going along. We still have some refreshments left, so if you want tho hang out for a while, you are welcome.
Fiction Favorites 
Out vet practise operates on a ‘call first and we’ll meet you at the door’ basis. Works well. Apart from that, we’re using delivery for most things although we have been into a couple of stores recently (fully masked up and socially distanced, of course).
Happily, I haven’t yet had a telephone or video consultation with the medical profession – it would be tough for them to do blood tests or biopsies remotely!
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My Primary Care Physician does video appointments. I had my annual physical by video. It worked out well except for the hernia check.
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My annual check is due on Tuesday. I’m seeing the practice nurse – probably for blood work and the physical tests.
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Best wishes on the annual.
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We can go into most places, but at a 50% occupancy level. Most still do pick-up and delivery as well. I guess we’re all learning new ways of getting stuff.
If you don’t mind, I’ll take a refill. I’ve got this new book that I’m reading, “Eternal Road,” it something like that.
I hope you have a good week, John.
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“Or something like that” – never fails, try to be a smart a** and add a typo.
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Hahaha. I read it originally as “or someting like that,” and found it very funny. 😁
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Ah, the human brain…never ceases to amaze me.
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we see what we want to see. 😁
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Heres the refill. Do not let me stand inthe way of your reading. Have a great week as well.
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It looks like the idiot in the reflection was practicing social distancing at least. Thanks for the tour, John. So many businesses in our area have closed, it’s sad. Enjoy your Sunday!
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Yes it is. I have to give it to those who keep trying. Have a super day.
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We have a mix of pick-up, curbside delivery and walk-in with limited capacity going here in Sarasota as well. Certainly a very different way of life. I miss chatting with people in stores, casually browsing, etc. Gonna take some time to return to life as we know it I fear. Good thing we have good books available to occupy our minds. ☺️
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I agree on the books. Yes, normal is being redevined as we go alnog. Not sure when life as we knew it will return. Thank you, Lori.
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I love the idea of curb-side pick up for your local library! I’m comfy on the bus with beverage in hand, lols 😊
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Don’t forget the chips and salsa. It is peach mango with a little bite. Thanks, Harmony. 😁
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I wish them all the best for survival until this is over. It has got to be rough on them.
Thanks for bus ride! Love starting off my day with a margarita too!
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It is a different kind of breakfast for sure. I have to admire those who are trying. Thanks, GP.
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Curbside has been interesting here. Some places have it down pat. Others are tricky because the phones are too busy for them to notice you’re there. Plenty of times we had to go in anyway.
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We had that experience too. Stuck the head in the door and yelled our name. Dumb.
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That margarita was great, thanks! I loved the tour of your neighbourhood food etc. outlets. Here in Spain, we can now go to our favourite restaurants/coffee shops/bars for a meal or a drink but we sit outside, which we would do anyway. It is abnormally quiet though as there are hardly any tourists or folks with holiday homes. Not sure how the businesses will survive. Only time will tell.
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I think the less savy businesses and those who treated customers like cattle before COVID will go under. The great places will survive. Have a super day, Darlene.
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Yes, And those who had some money in the bank!
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That too. Thanks, Darlene
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Thanks for the tour, John. Seeing businesses close or struggling always hurts. I hope for them and our nation and pray for all. ♥
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Yes lots of prayers needed.
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Very much a mixture here but businesses are doing the best they can to stay afloat, some more successful than others. Admittedly, I have no desire to eat in a restaurant at the moment although an outside patio does sound enticing!🍷
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I agree, Lynn. Ourside is best
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That should be “outside.”
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Going out to eat isn’t fun these days. We usually order and pick up. Even some of our fast-food restaurants now offer delivery. I don’t think I’d want to order ice cream to go! 🙂
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Hahahaha Me either. I just saw where Whataburger is delivering. Will wonders never cease.
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Wow. That is amazing. What a different scenario from here. We go into pretty much every business. The vets are mix. One is you go in, take a number and then go wait outside until they call you. I was surprised I was allowed in with Zeke as most will take your pet and make you wait outside… I’ve not gone to a restaurant yet, though my sister and family have been a half a dozen times – all spaced out and you wear your mask until your food arrives. I pass through the golf club restaurant where I work (but I’m down under the terrace so it’s a different story) and see that the tables are all spaced out… I admit I’ve not been to places other than grocery and liquor stores.
I can’t wait for life to return to a semblance of normal!
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Oh! And check out the legs on that guy 😉
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*Turns around. “What guy?” *blush You made my day.
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Show off them there legs!
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Okay then. Thank you, Dale.
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Yes, I so agree with you, Dale. I have not been to a restaurant or the barber since this thing started. I’m going to wait.
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Well… I HAVE been for one haircut and a few massage therapy sessions – all done as it should – because I was in too much pain.
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Yeah there comes the time for a deep massage. Hope it helped. 😁
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It was not pleasurable! When you are as knotted up as I was, it takes some work.
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Well then I hope it worked. 😊
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It did!
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Good morning, John,
It’s basically the same here. Have you any idea if at all those places the attendants wear masks? When we did pick-up at our favourite Mexican restaurant [“Hilda’s Tortillas”] here last Saturday, the guy who brought the food out wasn’t wearing one, and when my wife reminded him that he had to, he gave a curt “We don’t wear masks here!” My wife then told him that in these circumstances we – regular customers for more than 10 years – would not come back, he simply shrugged his shoulder with another curt “That’s fine!”
I still have to let the management know about this.
Have a great Sunday,
Pit
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Yeah you should let the manager know. Surley employees should be kicked to the curb especially since there are so many out of work.
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I don’t get out these days, John so my caregiver is my eyes and ears. Those were good pictures. 🙂 — Suzanne
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I’m glad you liked them, Suzanne. Al the best. 😁
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Fun tour and looks similar to ours except they are doing outdoor eating in the streets. Same with our vet which makes it easier for me so I can take 3 pets in at a time for shots, which I’m doing next week twice:)
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I kind of like the vet deal. At least I don’t have to be embarrassed by Twiggy making a rukus. (Which she doesn’t make when I’m not there.) Thanks, Denise.
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I’ve had some experiences with my dogs at the vets before, I hope they keep it this way. They do behave much better without us there I think…lol.
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😁
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It looks like your businesses are doing better than ours. The shops and restaurants are open here but they are empty.
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I think folks are afraid to get together. Not that I blame them.
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Although restaurants here allow inside dining, outside dining is doing well. Can’t believe that will be so on December! We’ve only eaten outdoors and carryout. Have a wonderful long weekend.
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Might have to get some of those propane heaters
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You make a great tour guide. Looks much the same around here and people are doing what they can to stay open. I am glad you are venturing out beyond the neighborhood and invited us along. Margaritas make anything better!
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They do for sure.
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Life certainly has changed, but the creative ways people have adapted make life a little more pleasant.
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It’s a different world out there, for sure.
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Yes it is.
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I loved this post John, its great to see how life is in Texas, London is like apocalyptic in the Centre, I have a photo at 2pm midweek in Leicester Square it was virtually empty about thirty people wandering around, all the stores are open, the tube is open, the buses running. The cafe, you normally can’t get in there, was quiet I felt compelled to buy an omelette just to give them some business rather than just a tea and we had a half price meal deal where the government paid half the price of a meal Monday to Wednesday up to £10 per head.
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It is a shame to see the once lively areas deserted. I’m not sure people are going to willy nilly come back. It is going to take time.
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Restaurants are open here for seating, but only at 50% capacity. Of course, they all offer curbside pickup and takeout. This may be our new norm. Thanks for sharing.
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It just may be the new norm.
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Why, John? Your reflection in the shop-window is a breeze of fresh hope for better times! Your local suppliers are smart. I see that the areas are deserted. Our picture was different. As soon as our first MacDonalds was open, there was a little crowd somewhere around. 🙂 🙂 🙂 Thank you!
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I think folks are still wary about gathering together. Thanks for the thoughts, Maria.
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It’s the same here – even at the library where I work! I think people everywhere are getting the hang of curbside. I’d like to have an ice cream cone delivered 🙂 By the way, you would laugh at the number of pictures that include me in a reflection or have my shadow overcoming my children!
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Thanks, Barbara.
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You had me at party bus, Boss.
Interestingly, I order out even less now. I kind of got into a rhythm with making up different dishes and rep-purposing leftovers. And I prefer my own pizza these days.
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I’m with you.
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Thanks for the tour and the margaritas, John. They hit the spot since it’s 109 outside. 😀 It sure is a different world out there, isn’t it? I can’t imagine the challenges for businesses these days…
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I think it is really tough for a lot of them right now. Thank yo, Lauren.
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What strikes me reading your post is that the new normal is starting to feel, well, normal. I hadn’t expectedt it to.
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Yes it does. Sadly. Thanks, Liz.
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Mostly the same here, except certain branches of our library are open to limited capacity inside. We’ve been out to a few restaurants and have felt completely safe, but I know with some restaurants that isn’t always the case. Thanks for the margarita!
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I’m not ready to get into close company yet. Thanks, Teri.
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Some places are open here, but I’m still doing take-out and curbside pick-up.
Your accidental selfie was fun! I enjoyed the snacks, margaritas, and the tour, John! 🍸
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Thank you, Deborah. It was fun for me too.
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Thanks for the view of the neighborhood, John. I feel so sorry for restaurants. And I dearly miss the library.
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I’m with you, Jennie. Thank you. 😊
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I know you are. The one restaurant here that remained open and clever gave out a roll of toilet paper early on, with every take-out order. Did I order? You bet. So did many others. They now are thriving, even under the guidelines. We need to support our locals.
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Okay is WP still cooperating ? I must have gotten here two days late ? Where is the bus and are the margaritas all gone ? My ability to ‘like’ comments is un-predictably WP affected. I will let you guess which ones. A margarita will enhance your chances. Ah the variety of covid-19 options. If only we had an option to select someone who is sane to put national guidelines in place. Instead they spin the wheel of fortune covid-19 guidelines in random 15 minute intervals. Sorry I would rather get my surprises from a Kracker Jack box. Do I have to wait till next Sunday for the margarita bus to come back around ! ? ! ? ! Where is the sign to text for margarita bus delivery ! …okay now to see if WP thinks I should still be allowed to comment
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